There is something to be said for being first. While video games now are presented in HD, with supercomputers rendering graphics to the point where it looks like I’m staring out my window, the bar is being raised so often that very few games are shocking or even pleasantly surprising.

Whether or not they are better is a conversation for another day, but the sports games of the 80’s and 90’s were advancing so quickly that every iteration or new title improved on its predecessor by leaps and bounds.

While it may sound corny, there was something very cool about finding a game where you got to be Wayne Gretzky or fight Mike Tyson. Let’s take a look at a few of the classics that stand out. Here’s to simpler times…